Whether it’s Kevin McCallister’s fortress of mischief, the Friends apartment building, or Sixteen Candles’ suburbia in our home state of Illinois, brick buildings are synonymous with classic American homes.
Stalwart, welcoming, and versatile, you’ll find many brick-built styles – from Ranch to Richardsonian Romanesque. The good news is, plenty of garage door colors pair with brick.
What color are your bricks?
Generally, red brick is a term that describes all bricks made of clay. But they come in an array of colors depending on the type of clay they’re made from.
Most buildings aren’t constructed from a single brick color – you’ll often see darker and lighter shades together for depth and variety. Or, single bricks can have a lot of color variation. Take Chicago common bricks for example – these are famous for their mottled and inconsistent color.
When you’re pairing garage door colors with bricks, either complement the dominant brick color, or match your door to an accent brick color.
Red and orange
Bright, welcoming, and widely used on houses and public buildings. The best garage door color for red brick houses depends on how vibrant your bricks are. If they’re an intense red, a white garage door is a neutral hue that creates contrast. For more muted reds, green is a great option. Shades of brown, like chocolate, tan, or faux wood garage doors work well, too.
Yellow, buff, and cream
Popular in Chicago, Cincinnati, and Milwaukee (not to mention Oz), yellow-tone bricks are easy to pair with light and dark garage door colors. We’d avoid anything too close to yellow, but greens, medium-dark wood, white, and even gray garage doors look the part.
Brown
You’ll see these most on industrial homes, like factory loft conversions. Brown's a versatile color – you can brighten it with creamy neutrals like sandstone garage doors. Or, lean into the industrial aesthetic with black garage doors.
What color are your trims and accents?
Before choosing your garage door, look at your home's existing colour palette.. Consider:
- Shutters
- Ironwork
- Driveway paving
- Window frames
- Front door
- Fascias and soffits
- Beams and pillars
You should find some degree of crossover in color. If there’s a lot of white, you might want to go for a white garage door, for example. If you’ve got a mismatch of multiple colors, you may want to paint or replace some trims for a more unified look. This makes it simple to pick a garage door color that ties in with your palette.
Door styles
Your garage door gives your home curb appeal. Choosing the perfect garage door style and color is the difference between a home that turns heads and a home that’s forgettable.
Choose a door that complements your home. If you have a classic brick house, a carriage house garage door will add a touch of elegance. If you live in a converted commercial building, a full-view aluminum glass garage door will look effortlessly modern.
Looking for the best garage door color for your red brick house?
Whether you’re browsing or buying, it’s wise to shop around and ask questions. If you’re unsure, speak to an expert who can give you inspiration.
Remember to use free services and tools to your advantage – there are garage door builders so you can see different door options on a photo of your home, and free sample services. These should help you find a door you’re happy with for years to come.
